Endless Line > Tangent, Horizontal (Temporary Objects Menu)

This command is used to create a Temporary Object as an endless line which is tangent to a circle, an ellipse, or a Bézier curve. "Horizontal" takes the current view into account, so it is always horizontal with respect to the screen!

Any circle, ellipse, or Bézier curve which exists on its own or as part of another object can be identified as a reference object. This can also be the arc of an ellipse segment or a circle arc within a surface.

The position at which the (part) object is identified (the "ID point) affects the way in which the rest of the command is carried out. If a horizontal tangent is placed on a circle or ellipse, the tangent can be placed above or below the circle or ellipse. The tangent point nearer to the ID point is used as the point through which the line should run (see graphic).

If a contour section consists of several Bézier curves, the ID point must be placed on the respective Bézier curve that contains the desired tangent point.